The Friendship School

The Friendship School, located in Waterford, Connecticut, is a unique interdistrict magnet school that serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade one. Operated by the LEARN regional educational service center, the school is specifically designed to foster diversity by bringing together children from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. By creating a shared learning environment for students from various towns across the region, the school aims to build a strong foundation of community, equity, and inclusion from the very beginning of a child’s educational journey.

The school’s curriculum is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasizes child-centered, project-based learning and the importance of the environment as the "third teacher." With a focus on social-emotional development and inquiry-based exploration, The Friendship School encourages students to be active participants in their own learning. By prioritizing strong relationships between educators, families, and students, the school creates a supportive atmosphere where young learners are challenged to think critically and collaboratively as they develop early academic and interpersonal skills.